CDC Highlights Key Chagas Disease Symptoms in New U.S. Report

Lead The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today published an issue of Emerging Infectious Diseases detailing the acute and chronic symptoms of Chagas disease and urging clinicians nationwide to improve detection and reporting.

Nut Graf With evidence that Chagas disease is now endemic in parts of the southern United States, the CDC’s report underscores the need for heightened awareness of its often subtle early signs-fever, swelling, headache-and its potentially fatal long-term cardiac and digestive complications.

Key Symptoms of Chagas Disease

• Acute Phase (weeks-months post-infection):
  • Fever and fatigue
  • Swelling at infection site and around the eyelid (Romaña’s sign)
  • Headache, muscle and joint pain
  • Gastrointestinal distress-nausea, diarrhea or vomiting
• Chronic Phase (10-30 years post-infection):
  • Cardiac disorders-arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, heart failure
  • Digestive tract enlargement-esophagus or colon
  • Neurological alterations and mixed visceral damage

Urgent Call for Action The CDC authors emphasize that early antiparasitic treatment is most effective during the acute phase, but underdiagnosis remains high due to nonspecific symptoms. They recommend:

• Routine screening for at-risk populations in endemic states (Arizona, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas and others)
• Improved physician education on Romaña’s sign and mild acute presentations
• Standardized reporting systems to capture locally acquired infections

Impact and Next Steps By recognizing and reporting initial Chagas symptoms, health professionals can intervene sooner and reduce progression to severe chronic disease. The CDC will host webinars this month to train clinicians on clinical presentation, testing protocols and treatment guidelines for Chagas disease.